Machado is a “central, unifying figure” of the once deeply divided opposition in the South American country, said the chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Jörgen Watne Frydnes. Venezuela has transformed from a comparatively democratic and prosperous country into a “brutal, authoritarian” state. “The violent state machinery” is now directed against its own citizens, and almost eight million people have left the country.
The opposition politician is celebrated by her supporters as “La Libertadora,” the “liberator.” Although she is threatened with arrest in her homeland and numerous opposition members are in prison, she has not left the country but has gone into hiding. She appears unannounced, gives a speech in the back of a van and then flees on a motorcycle.
The engineer first got involved in Venezuelan politics in 2002 when she called for a referendum against the then left-wing President Hugo Chávez. Machado then received death threats and sent her three children to the USA.
The opposition chose Machado as its presidential candidate last year. She was considered the favorite against the left-wing nationalist incumbent Nicolás Maduro – until the authorities banned her from running. The little-known diplomat Edmundo González Urrutia ran in her place, and Machado became his spokeswoman.
González Urrutia, who lives in exile in Spain, spoke on Friday of a “well-deserved recognition for the long fight of a woman and an entire people for freedom and democracy.” On the online service X he announced: “Venezuela will be free!”
“We’re not there yet. We’re working hard on it, but I’m sure we’ll prevail,” Machado told Nobel Institute director Kristian Berg Harpviken, who informed her of the award by telephone.
On The White House, however, criticized
There is concern in Venezuela that the US could intervene militarily in the country. The conflict between Washington and Caracas has been escalating for weeks. Trump accuses the left-wing nationalist President Maduro of controlling drug gangs and using the drug trade specifically against the USA, which he denies. For weeks, the US military has been carrying out operations off the coast of Venezuela against alleged drug smuggling boats, which it sank, killing several people.
Rumors have been circulating on online networks for weeks that Machado has found refuge in the US embassy. The Venezuelan opposition supports US action against suspected drug boats in the Caribbean. However, prominent opposition politician Henrique Capriles rejected direct US military intervention in the country.
President Maduro, in turn, has been warning of a US invasion for some time. He accuses Washington of trying to overthrow him. Trump is using the drug trade as an excuse to annex the country with its rich oil reserves.
The federal government congratulated Machado on the award. This is an “encouragement for all those who peacefully work for freedom, justice and protection of human rights in Latin America,” said a government spokesman in Berlin. Federal Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) congratulated Machado on X: “The courage, strength and steadfastness with which you are keeping the hope for democracy in Venezuela alive is admirable.”
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the “spirit of freedom” cannot be locked up. The Nobel Peace Prize will be presented at a ceremony in Oslo on December 10th, the anniversary of the death of prize founder Alfred Nobel.
